Ph. D., Columbia University, Nov. 2000, 258 p. Adviser: Henri Mitterand. ISBN: 0-599-75183-5

Aragon’s Les cloches de Bâle and Brazillac’s Les sept couleurs see the evolution of the main character from protagonist to ideological hero.

"The thesis demonstrates the extent to which anarchism, communism and fascism influence [and limit] the heroes’ language, perceptions and beliefs. Finally, the study evaluates each protagonist’s degree of success as an ideological hero."